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The Alamo

The Alamo Story: From Fact to Fable Author(s): Perry McWilliams Reviewed work(s): Source: Journal of the Folklore Institute, Vol. 15, No. 3 (Sep. - Dec., 1978), pp. 221-233 Published by: Indiana University Press Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3813977 . Accessed: 09/01/2012 21:51 Your use of the JSTOR archive indicates your acceptance of the Terms & Conditions of Use, available at . http://www.jstor.org/page/info/about/policies/terms.jsp JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.

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THE ALAMO STORY: FROM FACT TO FABLE

PerryMcWilliams The studyof mythsand legends,whichonce was the legitimate concernof only a few disciplines, becomeincreasingly has interesting to scholarsfrom a varietyof traditions who bring correspondingly diverseobjectives, conceptions, and methodologies bear upon a to common subjectmatter.For example,both the historianand the folklorist concernedwith folk historyas it is expressedthrough are culturalnarrative, that peculiarmediumin whichthe two logically distinctcategoriesof fictionand historical truth are blendedinto a cumulative accountof a culture's past.Sucha narrative, whetherexpressed through tradition written oral or account, oftentransforms the oralevidenceof eyewitness observers ElCtitiOUS into explanations and blendsthesewiththefactual, precise records professional of historians. Although boththe historian the folklorist concerned and are with the relationship betweenhistorical and oraltradition, fact theydiffer considerably the natureof theirconcerns. historian in The attempts to constructan accurateaccountof the past by separatingfact from fiction,whetherthe sourcebe oral or written.But sincewrittenaccountstraditionally beenconsidered be morefactual have to thanoral accounts, historians havetendedto givelesscredence thelatterthan to to the former.The folklorist, the otherhand,is concerned on withthe process enfablement which of in written oraltradition blended and are intoa narrative account the past,whether account factual of that be or not. He is likely,therefore, distinguish to betweenfactandElction only to determine howand whenthisprocess occurs.A concernsharedby the twodisciplines the distinction is betweenfactand fiction,albeitfor different purposes: the historian to establish accuracy,and the folklorist understand processof enfablement.1 to the An exampleof the waythisprocess occursis foundin accounts of the legendarybattleof the Alamo.The event has been recordedby historians attempting construct factualaccountof the pastwhich to a 221

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wouldbe devoid of fiction and fantasy.Yet, because the culture'spride and sense of identity Elndready roots in accounts of its origins, and even the historiansthemselveshaveoften been productsof this because culture,what was once perhaps substantiatedfact has become molded into a narrative which often rivals the most incredible of fUlctitious tantasles.

Accounts recorded in the historicaltradition have been disseminated through the media of scholarly publications and particularly through textbook accounts as a compulsory part of the state's public educationcurriculumfor more than a century. The folk traditionhas been developed and perpetuated through virtuallyevery conceivable form of communication,from balladsand folktalesto television serials and movies. Each tradition has influenced the other to such an extent that, in the minds of most Texans, there is little doubt that the events occurred exactly as they are presented through the media. The legend tells...

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THE ALAMO
I chose to write about the Alamo because I watched this movie when I was younger and wanted to watch it again now that I have a better perspective on the history that took place in the Battle for the Alamo. The movie takes place in San Antonio in early 1836, 6,000 Mexicans marched to The Alamo to fight a group of patriots of 187 strong; they were led by Colonel William B. Travis. During the 10 days of fighting, the Mexicans fought and fired their cannons until they were able to climb over the walls of The Alamo., to defeat the patriots. Among the dead were frontiersmen Davy Crockett and the Bowie brothers. This paper will explain how John Hancock interprets the history of the Alamo, along with the characterization of William B. Travis, Davy Crockett, and Jim Bowie and finally the cinematography of the movie of the story of the Alamo.
Colonel William B. Travis was a main character of the Movie. Travis was commissioned as a lieutenant colonel of the Legion of Cavalry and became the chief recruiting officer for a new regular Texan army. Governor Henry Smith ordered Travis to raise a company of professional soldiers to reinforce the Texans under James C. Neill at the Alamo Mission in San Antonio. On February 3, Travis arrived in San Antonio with eighteen regulars as reinforcements. A compromise was reached between Bowie and Travis for command of the...

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The Battle of the Alamo is a praised historical event that spanned from February 23rd to march 6th 1836. It was a key event during Texas revolution. It is important to understand its historical meaning and background to grasp what really happened. However, the majority of the population are misled by Hollywood. The 1960’s film The Alamo, directed by John Wayne, had some historical accuracies about what actually occurred during the thirteen days of the battle, however at the same time had many flaws which can be expected from Hollywood. The main comparisons that can be made between the film and history is the plot, characters, and setting.
The plot of the film The Alamo had many historical inaccuracies relative to how many facts it had right. In the film, the final siege of the Alamo took place during the day. General Santa Anna’s army was showed garrisoning around the Alamo, surrounding the fortified walls from all sides. In the film, the Texan defenders where aware of the enemy movement and where prepared for the upcoming battle. However, the actual battle of the Alamo did not take place during the day but rather the Mexican army attacked before dawn. The Texans where asleep at this time and where oblivious to what was going on up until the Mexican army began approaching the walls. In the film, Fannin was shown being ambushed. Historically, he was never ambushed....

...In San Antonio in early 1836, 6,000 Mexicans marched to The Alamo to fight a groups of Texas of 187 strong, They were led by Colonel William B. Travis. During 10 days of fighting, the Mexicans climbed over the wall’s of The Alamo., to defeat the Texans they killed a woman . her baby, and a slave were killed. Among the dead were frontiersmen Davy Crockett and the Bowie brothers. Following, is a description of how the Alamo fell.
On February 24, 1836 Colonel Travis wrote a letter requesting aid in his own handwriting to all the people of Texas and all Americans. It was carried to Gonzales by Captain Albert Martin, It was first delivered upon his arrival on the Feb 25th to Smithers. Who then carried it on the San Felipe on the Feb. 27th.
His letter explained the difficulty him and his men were having defending The Alamo against Santa Anna and his men. At the end of the letter he explains that if they do not receive aid, then they will fight till VICTORY OR DEATH. He also explains that, to this point, no men has lost his life. Following is an exact replica of his writing.
COLONEL TRAVIS LETTER:
“Commandancy of the AlamoBexar, Fby. 24th, 1836 To the People of Texas and All Americans in the World Fellow Citzens & Compatriots---I am besieged, by a thousand or more of the Mexicans under Santa Anna---I have sustained a continual Bombardment & cannonade for 24 hours & have not lost a man---The enemy has demanded...

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Commander William B. Travis,
February 21, 1836,
I, Commander William B. Travis, have received word from one of my scouts that Santa Anna and his army are on their way here. My first priority is the safety of the few families, women, and children who still remain in San Antonio. That is one of the reasons why we are evacuating everyone to the Alamo. Also, the large Spanish mission will provide much space and the 3 feet thick and 12 feet high walls will defend well against cannons. For now, we must prepare and hope god has blessed us.
February 22, 1836,
We have moved everyone to the Alamo where they may be safe, for now. Although the Alamo serves as a small fort, we are very low on supplies, medicine, ammunition, and food. Cannons have been positioned along the mission’s walls, the few supplies we do have, have been dispersed, and rifles are at the ready. I have appreciated my men and their faithful commitment, for we have been able to prepare for the inevitable.
February 23, 1836,
Alas! Our lookout has spotted Santa Anna’s army. What a massive score of soldiers! There must be at least six-thousand, all with there swords gleaming in the sun. I myself only command a hundred, eighty-seven men. Might there be of any way that our luck may change? Oh, but there is! I must organize two groups of men; one who will fire the rifles while the other continuously loads and readies them. In...

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The Alamo was one of the most astounding and critical battles of our country. Its men were ruthless in their bravery and love of their country. Their mission for independence lives on in the hearts of all American's today. Their legacy lives on forever and their courageous souls are still in the heart of the people of the lone star state. This is the story of bravery, love, tyranny, and liberty. This is the story of the Alamo
The battle of the Alamo only spanned an approximate 13 days yet it's a very critical battle in winning the independence of Texas and helping expand the United States to the west. There were many small conflicts that led up to this battle but it all started as white settlers started migrating to Texas. In the early 1820's after the Texas Revolution, Texas is a vast land sparsely populated and controlled by Mexico but not readily protected. The Mexican government began encouraging white settlers to come to Texas and start a new life so that they may help protect and populate it. For a small amount of money, settlers were given a fresh start and the fertile land of Texas. For this the Mexican government wanted the new settlers to agree to a few terms. These were, to become Roman Catholic, become a Mexican citizen, and not to hold any slaves. The whites agreed to these conditions and began settling
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The 2004 production of “The Alamo” was based upon the events leading up to, during, and after the siege of the Alamo in 1836. It began with Sam Houston “selling Texas”, and ended with the battle of San Jacinto. I chose this film, because the bravery shown by the individuals who were in the Alamo is truly inspiring, and I wanted a little more understanding on what it could have been like.
The movie started out with Sam Houston attempting to talk individuals into coming to Texas, promising them 640 acres of their choosing, but there was no mention of receiving a League of Land. The movie did a good job on depicting the habits of the characters, showing their attitudes and drinking habits. It also showed how concerning Travis was about his uniform. There was no mention of Daniel Cloud being the one to ring the bell; instead it mentioned someone spotting the Mexican Army while they were enroute to the Alamo. Within 24 hours of Santa Ana arriving, he sent a courier under a white flag to negotiate surrender which was not shown in the movie. It did however show Bowie ride out to negotiate, and Travis firing the cannon in anger.
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Crisp, James E. Sleuthing the Alamo: Davey Crockett's Last Stand and Other Mysteries of the Texas Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press, Inc, 2005.
Book Review
Sleuthing the Alamo: Davey Crockett’s Last Stand and Other Mysteries of the Texas Revolution is more about the issue of racism than it is about history itself. The author does make several good points and gives historical documentation to back up his points such as the diary of Jose` Enrique de la Pena. However, the book has a lot of opinion mixed in with fact. Crisp does not get an overview of the battle of the Alamo from both sides but takes his opinion from the Mexican standpoint and the standpoint of a German soldier. There is just enough fact to confuse a person who has not studied the history of the Alamo. Attention needs to be given to the few survivors of the Alamo on the Texas side.
The whole first chapter of this book is devoted to the author’s childhood and racism during the civil rights movement which has nothing at all to do with the Alamo. This being said, I would not read this book again due to so many factors that lean towards the author’s own opinion. The Alamo was a turning point in the history of Texas in its quest to become free and independent of Mexico. Crisp does bring this point up and then turns it towards it being a racial war between...

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The Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, was originally known as Mission San Antonio de Valero. It was one of five Spanish missions established by Franciscans in he late 1700s and was the first set along the San Antonio River. People in the unit started calling the post "The Alamo" after the name of their home, Alamo de Parras, Coahuila in 1744. "Alamo" is also a Spanish word for cottonwood. The Alamo in Texas became a place where a battle took place. This is known as “The Battle of the Alamo”. The Battle of the Alamo was about Texans who were not satisfied with the Mexican government and wanted to break apart. Santa Anna, Commander of Mexican Army, did not want this to happen, and therefore he did not want to sign the treaty on allowing Texas to have liberty. The Texans were not happy and knew that they had to fight for their independence against Mexico.
This battle had five main people. First, Colonel William Travis who was Texas Commander. Second, Jim Bowie was in command of a volunteer force in San Antonio when William Travis arrived with regular army troops. Third, Davy Crockett who was a legendary frontiersmen and was surrounded with 188 people in the fort and fought against the Mexican army. Fourth, Sam Houston who was the Commander of the Texas Army. Finally, general Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna who was the...